We, the Ministers of Health and representatives of the Member States of the World Health Organization in the European Region, together with the WHO Regional Director for Europe and health experts and representatives of civil society and intergovernmental organizations, have gathered in Vienna, Austria, on 4 and 5 July 2013 to face the challenges posed by the burden and threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and reaffirm our commitment to existing European and global frameworks to address important NCD risk factors, notably unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes – are the biggest cause of death worldwide. More than 36 million die annually from NCDs (63% of global deaths), including 14 million people who die too young before the age of 70. More than 90% of these premature deaths from NCDs occur in low- and middle-income countries, and could have largely been prevented. Most premature deaths are linked to common risk factors, namely tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

To strengthen national efforts to address the burden of NCDs, the 66th World Health Assembly endorsed the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020 (resolution WHA66.10). The global action plan offers a paradigm shift by providing a road map and a menu of policy options for Member States, WHO, other UN organizations and intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and the private sector which, when implemented collectively between 2013 and 2020, will attain 9 voluntary global targets, including that of a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025.

The WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020 follows on from commitments made by Heads of State and Government in the United Nations Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs (resolution A/RES/66/2), recognizing the primary role and responsibility of Governments in responding to the challenge of NCDs and the important role of international cooperation to support national efforts.

Investing in prevention and improved control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) will reduce premature death and preventable morbidity and disability, and improve the quality of life and well-being of people and societies. No less than 86% of deaths and 77% of the disease burden in the WHO European Region are caused by this broad group of disorders, which show an epidemiological distribution with great inequalities reflecting a social gradient, while they are linked by common risk factors, underlying determinants and opportunities for intervention.

The attached document contains an action plan for implementation of the European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases. Taking account of Members States’ existing commitments, it focuses on priority action areas and interventions for the next five years (2012–2016) within a comprehensive and integrated framework.

It has been developed through a consultative process, guided by the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee, and including meetings of NCD focal points and of the European Health Policy Forum for High-Level Government Officials. Its formulation has taken place against a backdrop of development of the new European health policy (Health 2020) and the Public Health Framework for Action, as well as the First Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Noncommunicable Disease Control (Moscow, April 2011) and the United Nations high-level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (New York, September 2011) and takes account of these processes.

The NOPA database compiles information for the WHO European Member States to monitor progress on nutrition, diet, physical activity and obesity. The country information contains national and subnational surveillance data, policy documents, action to implement policy and examples of good practice in programmes and interventions.

As a monitoring tool, the NOPA database can stimulate policy-makers to identify gaps and needs in data collection and policy development, or to show progress in their fight against obesity. At present the database contains information on policy documents in the 53 Member States in the WHO European Region. It will be continuously updated and expanded with data on nutritional status, food consumption, nutrient intake, physical-activity levels and policy implementation in each Member State.

Information can be searched and viewed by country. This facilitates the sharing of information by Member States and making of comparisons across the Region.